LOCAL NEWS: Ohio To Again Use Tax ID Quiz, Increase Security For Minors

State officials say tax filers in Ohio could again see an identification quiz to verify their identity and validate their refund requests.

The increased security efforts come as the state seeks to block tax fraud schemes.

Through November, the Ohio Department of Taxation says it intercepted nearly 233,000 suspicious returns claiming $256.5 million in illegitimate refunds.

Tax Commissioner Joe Testa says the state is expanding its security measures to protect the identity of minors.

In a statement last week, Testa said criminals also are using the identities of minors in their fraud scheme. He says if it appears a child’s identity has been compromised, the state will notify the household. Testa says that would let tax filers take additional steps to thwart illegitimate use of that minor’s identity.